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The Supreme Court on Monday reiterated the stand of the Government that the production of Adhaar is not mandatory for registration at the Co-Win portal and Covid-19 vaccination.

A bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant said, "Adhaar is not the only one document, but you can present any of the 9 documents."

The bench was hearing the plea seeking directions to remove the mandate of submitting Aadhar card details in the CO-WIN portal for the purpose of COVID19 vaccination.

Advocate Mayank Kshirsagar appearing for the petitioner submitted that, "There were situations where people have been denied vaccination when they used another document. An order of your Lordships will help."

However, Advocate Aman Sharma appearing for the Central Government submitted that Adhaar is not the only document that may be accepted. 

"87 Lakhs people without any identity card has been registered on the Co-Win portal," Sharma added.

Whereas Kshirsagar stated that "the order that none of the centre can deny in case the document is not adhaar would help."

The bench has directed all the authorities to act in accordance with the police of the Government.

Background:

​​​​​​The Supreme Court had issued notice in a plea seeking direction to eliminate the mandatory pre-condition of submitting Aadhaar details in the Co-Win portal for the vaccination.

The bench had noted that as per information, other Government issued identity cards have also been included.

The plea filed Siddharthshankar Sharma stated that the Government have failed to to adhere to the paramount duty by compelling the citizens to mandatorily provide the Aadhaar at the time of vaccination against their of SOP & policies as a pre-requisite for administration of vaccination which has nowhere been declared or stated in the prescribed procedure.

Case Title: Siddharthshankar Sharma Vs. Union of India